Landin's Famous Time-tested Caulk Recipe

  - Caulk Powder Mix -
Caution: Wear dust mask when mixing caulk powder.

            5 Cups        Plaster of Paris

            2 Cups        Whiting (Calcium carbonate)

            2 tsp            Lamp Black (Note: Use more or less "to taste")

Mix the ingredients very thoroughly and keep in a closed, watertight container.  You may mix several batches of this powder and store for future use.

  - Caulk Liquid Mix -

            2 Cups        Turpentine

            1 Cup         Boiled Linseed Oil

CAUTION: VERY FLAMMABLE!!  Do not boil the linseed oil yourself.
It is available in boiled form at the hardware store.

Mix these two liquids together and store the mixture in a safe container until needed.  This mixture is very flammable so keep it in a safe place.  It is, of course, also quite toxic.  Do not take internally!  Label such items appropriately. 

Mixing the Two to make Caulk (or Cement or Grout or Mud)

There is no set proportion of liquid to powder.  We usually combine the liquid mix and the powder mix in an empty coffee can.  Simply pour a little liquid mix into the can and add some powder mix.  Stir it up and see what the consistency is like.  If it is too soupy, add a little more powder mix.  Too thick -- add a little more of the liquid mix.  It is supposed to be putty-like, but not too thick.   I like it thin enough that it will get into all the nooks and crannies in the project.  The purpose of this stuff is to seal leaded projects.  Caulk both sides of the project.

Finding Ingredients

The ingredients for Landin's caulk can probably be found through a number of sources.  Here is a list of places that I KNOW carry the needed items.

Plaster of Paris, Turpentine, Boiled Linseed Oil -- available at Lowe's, 3820 - 44th Ave. Dr., Moline, (309) 736-1100.

Whiting (calcium carbonate) -- available at Iowa Paint, 2002 - 16th St., Moline, (309) 762-6851.  I'm told it comes in 1# containers.  Price unknown.

Lamp Black -- available from me, Mark Seaholm.  Contact me via our Landin's phone line at (309) 762-5909 or email me at info@landins.com.  

Watch this site for caulking instructions coming soon -